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Sunday, June 25, 2017

The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker @jdbarker @HMHBooks #4MK

The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Releases June 27, 2017    


One of the most highly anticipated thrillers of 2017, it is no wonder it is optioned for both TV and film.  Holy crap on a cracker, people - this book is GOOD! No, no.. that's not the word.... there are no words.. It's fantastic!  Read below for the synopsis and my full review. But I can tell you now, go preorder this book NOW - I mean, it's only a couple days away from release and you REALLY don't want to miss it!

SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL, SPEAK NO EVIL, DO NO EVIL







Goodreads Synopsis

Se7en meets The Silence of the Lambs in this dark and twisting novel from the author Jeffery Deaver called, “A talented writer with a delightfully devious mind.”

For over five years, the Four Monkey Killer has terrorized the residents of Chicago. When his body is found, the police quickly realize he was on his way to deliver one final message, one which proves he has taken another victim who may still be alive.

As the lead investigator on the 4MK task force, Detective Sam Porter knows even in death, the killer is far from finished. When he discovers a personal diary in the jacket pocket of the body, Porter finds himself caught up in the mind of a psychopath, unraveling a twisted history in hopes of finding one last girl, all while struggling with personal demons of his own.

With only a handful of clues, the elusive killer’s identity remains a mystery. Time is running out and the Four Monkey Killer taunts from beyond the grave in this masterfully written fast-paced thriller.


My Review

The Four Monkey Killer (4MK) has been stumping law enforcement for five years. A body is found, carrying a small white box which holds the ear of a young girl (a 4MK calling card) and Sam Porter, taking time off to deal with his own inner demons, is drawn back in as lead on the case. It appears that even from the grave, 4MK has put into place a game to leave his final message. Clues are everywhere. A diary is found on the body and Sam is taken deep into 4MK's childhood, just one of many carrots dangling in front of his proverbial horse. Can Sam solve the clues before another person has to die?

WHAT A FREAKIN' RIDE!!! Barker takes us on quite the psychological journey. Alternating between Porter (lead detective on the case), Claire (another detective), Emory (the abducted girl) and 4MK's diary, he leads us right into the bowels of torture hell... and I love every single minute of it! I was mostly enthralled with 4MK's diary - we get a birds eye view right into how he became molded to be the person that he is - what can I say, I love a twisted mind. Reading this was like having 2 books in one - WIN WIN! The way Sam Porter pieces together clue after clue is exciting and I felt right in the middle of the chase. While some parts may not be for the squeamish, the author does it in a way that feels necessary and not for shock value. I definitely felt myself cringing at certain areas, but wide eyed and ready for more. There is also much humor in the banter between the characters that I truly appreciated and helped to alleviate from the somber, more disturbing parts of the story.

The hype for this book is absolutely legit and I'm not surprised this is optioned for film and TV. Full of surprising twists that are sure to freeze your eyes wide open (easy now, don't make it so easy on 4MK....), you'll be turning the pages as fast as you can to get to the ending. Be careful though, just when you think you're on the right trajectory, Barker fish hooks you and reels you in a completely different direction. Where is the next book? Surely it doesn't end with this. It can't. I won't accept it! **Scurries to buy everything by J.D. Barker**


View all my reviews


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